The Office of the Chaplain United States House of Representatives

Reverend Samuel Tialavea

Congregational Christian Church
Futiga, AS

Sponsor: Rep. Eni Faleomavaega, (D-AS)
Date of Prayer: 01/13/2010

One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:

Madam Speaker, it is my great honor and pleasure to welcome Rev. Samuel Tialavea to the Chamber today. Rev. Tialavea, or "Sam" as he is popularly known in our Samoan community, is from my home district in American Samoa.

Rev. Tialavea is currently the General Secretary of the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa, a position he has held now for some 8 years. He was appointed Secretariat of the Partnership Consultation Committee on Ministry and Mission of the United Church of Christ and the Congregational Christian Church, again, a post he has held for some 8 years now. He was ordained in the mid–1990s, where he became pastor of the Bread of Life Church in Honolulu prior to his election as the General Secretary of the CCCAS.

This is a historic occasion for my district. To my knowledge, Rev. Tialavea is the first ever Samoan to give the opening prayer to begin a regular House congressional session.

I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge Rev. Tialavea's lovely wife, Fa'aipoipoga, who is present with us in the gallery. Also with her to witness this momentous occasion are Rev. Elder Leatulagi Faalevao, who is the vice chairman of the Congregational Christian Church, and his wife, Vagai; and Rev. Reupena Alo, who is the assistant to the General Secretary, and his wife, Deanne.

It is my distinct honor and privilege again to welcome to the House today my good friend, Rev. Samuel Tialavea, Sr.

Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:

God of the faith of our fathers and Lord of our homage, we embrace you and one another in heart and soul, thought and mind giving you praise and trusting your faithfulness. Bless this day and our activity in your service.

O Lord, help us to remember that proclamation from ages past, "where there is no vision, people perish."

Enable us, therefore, to be visionary in our decision–making, particularly with those resolved in your wisdom by the leadership of our nation. Grant this Congress the ability to see, the faith to believe and the courage to leap forward in their journey of determination for tranquility and peace, upholding those virtues by which all may benefit from, in our "home of the brave and land of the free."

God of the Most High, may your will be done, your vision be known, and your righteousness prevail, both now and forever. Amen.

To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory